Rosy and her dad spend every weekend working on her dollhouse, until one day her dad gets sick and is hospitalized. Feeling sad, Rosy looks at her dolRosy and her dad spend every weekend working on her dollhouse, until one day her dad gets sick and is hospitalized. Feeling sad, Rosy looks at her dollhouse and discovers a tiny fairy named Thistle, who has come to rest in the dollhouse after she suffered a broken wing. Rosy nurses her back to health and before she knows it, her dad returns the Thistle disappears. This book doesn't seem like it knows what it wants to be: a book about kids dealing with sick parents? Imaginary friends? Fairies? Dollhouses? I say, "just ok" to this one. Could be better....more

I accidentally pulled this book as a potential for a display I was doing called "Up, Up, and Away!" about balloons, kites, and other things that "fly.I accidentally pulled this book as a potential for a display I was doing called "Up, Up, and Away!" about balloons, kites, and other things that "fly." Though the title suggests a carefree subject matter, it is actually much weightier than that. According to the preface, oftentimes terminally ill children will draw a purple of blue balloon as a representation of how they feel about themselves (once they become aware of their own mortality and impending death). The book then discusses the process of death on basic terms, what it means to the people going through the process and left behind. It is gentle and simple and intended to make the ordeal a bit softer, I think. It made me feel both sad and hopeful, and might be useful to a teacher wanting to discuss the death of a student with the class or anyone wanting to bring up death and dying with a young child. Overall, a very nice, helpful book....more

Felicity Floo (notice the play on words of "flu") single-handedly infects the entire zoo with her sickly self and her snot-covered hands. The rhyme inFelicity Floo (notice the play on words of "flu") single-handedly infects the entire zoo with her sickly self and her snot-covered hands. The rhyme in this book is absolutely fantastic, even if Emily Floo looks a bit like something from a Tim Burton animated film. I like that it's almost sort of a pourquoi, explain how they came to name the sickness The Floo after her. Aside from the weird illustration style (though admittedly, the shiny-coated handprints are pretty awesome), I'm a big fan. Best for preschoolers, I'd say....more

Clearly a Mo Willems-inspired book. We/you/the narrator speak directly the the little pekingese who has broken his leg and is wearing a cast. The narrClearly a Mo Willems-inspired book. We/you/the narrator speak directly the the little pekingese who has broken his leg and is wearing a cast. The narrator decides he looks like a pirate, and so a pretend adventure ensues. A cute little book, but not overly interesting or exciting....more